The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 02 eBook

Over all such trials Charlotte found assistance to
rise in her own inward feelings. She knew her
own determination. Her own affection, fair and
noble as it was, she would utterly renounce.

And sorely she longed to go to the assistance of the
other two. Separation, she knew well, would not
alone suffice to heal so deep a wound. She resolved
that she would speak openly about it to Ottilie herself.
But she could not do it. The recollection of her
own weakness stood in her way. She thought she
could talk generally to her about the sort of thing.
But general expressions about “the sort of thing,”
fitted her own case equally well, and she could not
bear to touch it. Every hint which she would
give Ottilie recoiled on her own heart. She would
warn, and she was obliged to feel that she might herself
still be in need of warning.

She contented herself, therefore, with silently keeping
the lovers more apart, and by this gained nothing.
The slight hints which frequently escaped her had
no effect upon Ottilie; for Ottilie had been assured
by Edward that Charlotte was devoted to the Captain,
that Charlotte herself wished for a separation, and
that he was at this moment considering the readiest
means by which it could be brought about.

Ottilie, led by the sense of her own innocence along
the road to the happiness for which she longed, lived
only for Edward. Strengthened by her love for
him in all good, more light and happy in her work for
his sake, and more frank and open toward others, she
found herself in a heaven upon earth.

So all together, each in his or her own fashion, reflecting
or unreflecting, they continued on the routine of
their lives. All seemed to go its ordinary way,
as, in monstrous cases, when everything is at stake,
men will still live on, as if it were all nothing.

CHAPTER XIV

In the meantime a letter came from the Count to the
Captain—­two, indeed—­one which
he might produce, holding out fair, excellent prospects
in the distance; the other containing a distinct offer
of an immediate situation, a place of high importance
and responsibility at the Court, his rank as Major,
a very considerable salary, and other advantages.
A number of circumstances, however, made it desirable
that for the moment he should not speak of it, and
consequently he only informed his friends of his distant
expectations, and concealed what was so nearly impending.

He went warmly on, at the same time, with his present
occupation, and quietly made arrangements to insure
the continuance of the works without interruption
after his departure. He was now himself desirous
that as much as possible should be finished off at
once, and was ready to hasten things forward to prepare
for Ottilie’s birthday. And so, though without
having come to any express understanding, the two friends
worked side by side together. Edward was now
well pleased that the cash-box was filled by their
having taken up money. The whole affair went forward
at fullest speed.